April 2023 Basketball Wiretap

Wolves Forward Jaden McDaniels Fractures Right Hand

Apr 9, 2023 6:49 PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves had an eventful Sunday afternoon. Minnesota clinched the eighth seed in the upcoming Western Conference Play-In Tournament. That was the good news.

On the downside, Rudy Gobert was sent home after punching teammate Kyle Anderson during a timeout late in the first half. However, an injury to Jaden McDaniels is the bigger immediate concern.

McDaniels suffered a fractured right hand in the first half of Sunday's win over the New Orleans Pelicans. McDaniels was spotted punching a wall after being removed from the game late in the first quarter.

McDaniels is in the midst of a breakout season for Minnesota. He's averaged 12.2 points on 52/40/74 shooting splits and 3.9 rebounds per game. In addition, McDaniels has emerged as one of the best defensive forwards in the NBA.

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Injury

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Paul George Exercising, No Timetable For Return

Apr 9, 2023 9:02 AM

LA Clippers wing Paul George has begun exercising again, after weeks of having his knee immobilized. There remains no timetable for when George may return to playing for the Clippers.

George suffered a sprained right knee in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 21. Fortunately, the Clippers star suffered no serious ligament damage, but did have to keep his knee immobilized for weeks.

The Clippers hope George will be able to return at some point in the postseason. With a win on Sunday, LA can avoid the Play-In Tournament and would enter the playoffs as the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

Ohm Youngmisuk/ESPN

Tags: Los Angeles Clippers, NBA, NBA Injury

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Steven Adams Likely To Miss Playoffs Due To Knee Injury

Apr 8, 2023 1:40 PM

The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to be without starting center Steven Adams for their upcoming playoff run. Adams has been out with a PCL strain in his right knee since late-January.

Adams underwent a stem cell injection in his injured right knee in early-March. The hope was that would help him to be ready to return to the Grizzlies lineup by the start of the postseason. Now, Memphis will prepare for the playoffs without their starting center.

Xavier Tillman Sr. has been the most-often used starter in place of Adams. Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins has also experimented with some small-ball lineups featuring Jaren Jackson Jr. as the lone big on the floor. Memphis is also without backup big man Brandon Clarke, as he tore his left Achilles tendon in early March. 

Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN

Tags: Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, NBA Injury

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Bismack Biyombo, Cameron Payne Leave Game With Injuries

Apr 8, 2023 1:46 AM

Both Bismack Biyomobo and Cameron Payne left the Phoenix Suns' 121-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers with injuries.

Biyombo suffered a right knee injury after colliding with Anthony Davis in the second quarter.

Payne left after landing on his lower back on a drive in the first half.

The Suns are locked into the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. 

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Tags: Bismack Biyombo, Cameron Payne, Phoenix Suns, NBA, NBA Injury

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Jaylen Brown Gets Five Stitches On Shooting Hand

Apr 7, 2023 9:52 PM

Jaylen Brown cut a finger on his shooting hand and had to get five stitches on Thursday evening. Brown said he suffered the injury picking up a glass vase he knocked over while watering his plants. 

Brown expects to be restricted for at least the next two days.

Brown was wearing a protective wrap on Friday.

The Boston Celtics begin their playoff run next weekend.

ESPN

Tags: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, NBA, NBA Injury

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Khris Middleton Rehabbing Knee In Hopes Of Being Ready For Playoffs

Apr 7, 2023 10:15 AM

Milwaukee Bucks wing Khris Middleton has been dealing with right knee soreness for most of the season. As such, Middleton underwent an MRI on the knee on Thursday.

While the results of the MRI came back clean, Middleton is now going to rehab his knee for the next week-plus. This is in hopes of being ready to play when the playoffs start on April 15 or 16.

Middleton has appeared in only 33 games this season for Milwaukee. He made his debut in early-December, before being shut down two weeks later and missing a month's worth of action. Since then, the Bucks have given Middleton sporadic rest days. He also only returned to the Bucks starting lineup a month ago, in an effort to keep his minutes down.

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Zion Williamson Likely Unavailable For Play-In Tournament

Apr 7, 2023 9:34 AM

Zion Williamson is unlikely to play for the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament. The Pelicans announced on Thursday that Williamson was continuing his rehab from a hamstring injury, but did not give a timeline for him to return.

New Orleans still has a chance to make the top-six in the Western Conference, but they currently sit in the eighth spot. That would mean playing in the first Play-In game, with a chance at the seventh seed. If the Pelicans lost, they'd have a second shot to win and enter the playoffs as the eighth seed.

Williamson has appeared in only 29 games this season. He's been out since January second with his hamstring injury. Overall, Williamson has played in only 114 games in the first four seasons of his NBA career. 

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Tags: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Injury

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De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, Domantas Sabonis Questionable For Friday Game

Apr 7, 2023 2:00 AM

Several players for the Sacramento Kings are listed as questionable for Friday night's game against the Golden State Warriors, including De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis.

Trey Lyles, Malik Monk, and Davion Mitchell are also listed as questionable.

Matthew Dellavedova is out after undergoing finger surgery on Wednesday.

The Kings, currently third in the Western Conference, could catch the Grizzles for second place if they win their final two games and the Grizzlies lose both games. 

Jason Anderson/The Sacramento Bee

Tags: Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles, Domantas Sabonis, Keegan Murray, Matt Dellavedova, Malik Monk, Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings, NBA, NBA Injury

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Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton Out Friday Versus Grizzlies

Apr 7, 2023 1:38 AM

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton are among players who are listed as out for the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen, and Pat Connaughton are also set to miss the game.

The Bucks clinched the best-record in the league following their win over the Bulls on Wednesday night. 

ESPN

Tags: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Pat Connaughton, Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Injury

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Zion Williamson Remains Out Indefinitely With Hamstring Injury

Apr 6, 2023 8:44 PM

The New Orleans Pelicans continue to not have an idea on when Zion Williamson may return from a hamstring injury.

David Griffin released the following statement with an update on Williamson:

“After further evaluation, it has been determined that Zion Williamson will continue his rehabilitation and conditioning regimen. We will continue to monitor his progression and updates will be provided as warranted.”

Williamson has been out since early January with the injury.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans, NBA, NBA Injury

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Grayson Allen Ankle Sprain More Severe Than Expected

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Khris Middleton Leaves Game With Knee Soreness, Status For Regular Season Uncertain

Jamal Collier/ESPN

Naz Reid Out Indefinitely After Successful Wrist Surgery

RealGM Staff Report

Anthony Davis Still Has Bone Bruise In Foot, Overuse Increases Risk Of Reinjury

Dave McMenamin/ESPN

Zion Williamson Plays Three-On-Three, Still No Timetable For Return

Shams Charania/The Athletic

Mavs Plan To Re-Sign Kyrie Irving In Free Agency

Chris Haynes/Bleacher Report

Walker Kessler Enters Concussion Protocol, Season Likely Over

Tim MacMahon/ESPN